Text: Jeremiah 26

Verse 24, “Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.”

In this chapter, Jeremiah is arrested and his life is threatened, but he survives once again. He is God’s man doing God’s will, and such a man is indestructible until God has finished the work He wants to be done through him.

In verses 1-7, Jeremiah, by the command of God, goes into the court of the Lord’s house and prophesies the destruction of the temple and city, except there be some real repentance by the people.

In verses 8-18, Jeremiah’s prophecy was not welcomed, so that it put his life in great danger. Miraculously, he was saved by the influence of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, who made a strong defense for Jeremiah.

In verses 20-23, Urijah is condemned but escapes to Egypt where he is brought back by Jehoiakim and slain.

Verse 24, “The hand of Ahikam was with Jeremiah.” Ahikam befriends Jeremiah. Though Jeremiah was acquitted in the highest court, he was not out of danger because there was so much hatred and prejudice against him, and it is likely that Ahikam had to hide him so they would not put him to death.

Here is an important lesson from one of the commentaries, “The genuine ministers of God have no favour to expect from those who are his enemies.”

This chapter illustrates an unbeatable combination in three ways:

I. A FAITHFUL MASTER VERSES 2-6.

  • His presence is constant.
  • His protection is continuous.
  • His purpose is consistent—it never changes.

II. A FAITHFUL MAN VERSES 7-15.

Jeremiah was a faithful man—

  • He was faithful to God.
  • He was faithful to his country.
  • He was faithful to his close friends.
  • He was faithful to his calling.
    • He was faithful in his preaching verses. 1-6.
    • He was faithful in spite of persecution by the priests and the prophets verses 7-11.
    • He was faithful to his principle in the face of his persecutors verses 12-15.
    • He was faithfully protected by the princes and elders verses 16-19.

III. A FAITHFUL MESSAGE VERSES 12-15.

  • It was an inspired message.
  • It was an indispensable message.
  • It was an intelligent message.
  • It was an unfailing message.

No wonder that all the powers of Judah were unable to close the mouth of this great prophet. Backing him and his message was an omnipotent God. Behind every faithful servant of Christ is the same almighty God Who will not fail His message or His messengers.

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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff

Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.